Here are 3 ideal Moussa Dembele replacements Celtic could sign in January including 43-goal Serbian ace

3 Moussa Dembele replacements Celtic must sign in January

Moussa Dembele left Celtic to join Lyon in a £19.7m deal on the transfer deadline day, according to Sky Sports. He signed a five-year contract with the French club.

Dembele, 22, started his youth career with Paris Saint-Germain before turning into a full professional at Fulham. He rose to prominence there but decided to not renew his contract with the club in 2016 and was plucked away by Celtic on a free transfer.

The Frenchman enjoyed a fantastic debut season with Celtic, scoring 17 goals in the Premiership and followed that up with nine goals last season.

Since Dembele departed on the transfer deadline day, Brendan Rodgers had very little time to sign a replacement. The transfer window reopens in January and once that happens, Rodgers must prioritise bringing in a replacement for the departed star.

Here are three players Celtic must target to replace Dembele in January.

Kasper Dolberg (Ajax)

Kasper Dolberg enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with Ajax in 2016/17 and while he couldn’t replicate his 23-goal haul last term, he remains one of the brightest prospects in Europe.

Dolberg is a tall, lanky centre-forward with a capacity to hold off defenders coupled with the agility and technique to beat a man in one-on-one situations. However, it’s not all about goals for the young Dane. He can hold the ball up very well to bring his teammates into the game, make crisp passes and create chances as well.

At 20, Dolberg has an entire career ahead of him and Celtic must make an ambitious move for him in January.

Aleksandar Prijovic (PAOK)

Aleksandar Prijovic may not be a household name but his goalscoring abilities have been making waves across Europe for some time now.

The Serbia international has been outstanding for Greek outfit PAOK for the last two years, hitting 43 goals in 68 appearances.

At 28, he has entered his prime years and could be ready for his next big move. Rodgers must try bagging his signature in January to bolster his squad.

Sardar Azmoun (Rubin Kazan)

Sardar Azmoun has been ripping apart defences in the Russian Premier League and has started this season in a stunning fashion, scoring two goals and supplying three assists in eight games.

Azmoun, 23, played every minute of Iran’s World Cup campaign in Russia but sensationally announced his retirement following his country’s elimination from Group B.

Read more: It could be a masterstroke by Rodgers if he signs this 23-goal powerhouse for Celtic in January

A switch from Russian football to Scottish football could be a tricky one but a naturally gifted player like Azmoun possesses the ability to take the Scottish Premiership by storm. A switch to a team like Celtic would be about as good as it gets for the Iranian youngster.